ASTM E2121-13

Standard Practice for Installing Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise Residential Buildings

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The purpose of the methods, systems, and designs described in this practice is to reduce radiation exposures for occupants of residential buildings caused by radon and its progeny. The goal of mitigation is to maintain reduced radon concentrations in occupiable areas of buildings at levels as low as reasonably achievable. This practice includes sections on reducing radiation exposure caused by radon and its progeny for workers who install and repair radon mitigation systems. The goal for workers is to reduce exposures to radon and its progeny to levels as low as reasonably achievable.  
5.2 The methods, systems, designs, and materials described here have been shown to have a high probability of success in mitigating radon in attached and detached residential buildings, three stories or less in height (see EPA, “Radon Reduction Techniques for Existing Detached Houses, Technical Guidance (Third Edition) for Active Soil Depressurization Systems”). Application of these methods does not, however, guarantee reduction of radon levels below any specific level, since performance will vary with site conditions, construction characteristics, weather, and building operation.  
5.3 When applying this practice, contractors also shall conform to all applicable local, state, and federal regulations, and laws pertaining to residential building construction, remodeling, and improvement.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes methods for reducing radon entry into existing attached and detached residential buildings three stories or less in height. This practice is intended for use by trained, certified or licensed, or both, or otherwise qualified individuals.  
1.2 These methods are based on radon mitigation techniques that have been effective in reducing radon levels in a wide range of residential buildings and soil conditions. These fan powered mitigation methods are listed in Appendix X1. More detailed information is contained in references cited throughout this practice.  
1.3 This practice is intended to provide radon mitigation contractors with a uniform set of practices that will ensure a high degree of safety and the likelihood of success in retrofitting low rise residential buildings with radon mitigation systems.  
1.4 The methods described in this practice apply to currently occupied or formerly occupied residential buildings, including buildings converted or being converted to residential use, as well as residential buildings changed or being changed by addition(s) or alteration(s), or both. The radon reduction activities performed on new dwellings, while under construction, before occupancy, and for up to one year after occupancy, are covered by Guide E1465.  
1.5 This practice also is intended as a model set of practices, which can be adopted or modified by state and local jurisdictions, to fulfill objectives of their specific radon contractor certification or licensure programs. Radon mitigation performed in accordance with this practice is considered ordinary repair.  
1.6 The methods addressed in this practice include the following categories of contractor activity: general practices, building investigation, systems design, systems installation, materials, monitors and labeling, post-mitigation testing, and documentation.  
1.7 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 6 for specific safety hazards.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2013
• ICS: 91.120.99 - Other standards related to protection of and in buildings
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.41 - Air Leakage and Ventilation Performance

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E2121 − 13
Standard Practice for
Installing Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise
1
Residential Buildings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2121; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope building investigation, systems design, systems installation,
materials, monitors and labeling, post-mitigation testing, and
1.1 This practice describes methods for reducing radon
documentation.
entry into existing attached and detached residential buildings
1.7 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
three stories or less in height. This practice is intended for use
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
by trained, certified or licensed, or both, or otherwise qualified
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
individuals.
and are not considered standard.
1.2 Thesemethodsarebasedonradonmitigationtechniques
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
that have been effective in reducing radon levels in a wide
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
range of residential buildings and soil conditions. These fan
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
powered mitigation methods are listed in Appendix X1. More
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
detailedinformationiscontainedinreferencescitedthroughout
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 6 for
this practice.
specific safety hazards.
1.3 This practice is intended to provide radon mitigation
contractors with a uniform set of practices that will ensure a
2. Referenced Documents
high degree of safety and the likelihood of success in retrofit- 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ting low rise residential buildings with radon mitigation
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
systems.
E1465 Practice for Radon Control Options for the Design
1.4 The methods described in this practice apply to cur- and Construction of New Low-Rise Residential Buildings
E1745 Specification for Plastic Water Vapor Retarders Used
rently occupied or formerly occupied residential buildings,
in Contact with Soil or Granular Fill under Concrete Slabs
including buildings converted or being converted to residential
2.2 Government Publications:
use, as well as residential buildings changed or being changed
by addition(s) or alteration(s), or both. The radon reduction EPA “Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization
3
activities performed on new dwellings, while under Act,” regulation 40 CFR Part 763, Subpart E.
construction, before occupancy, and for up to one year after EPA “A Citizen’s Guide to Radon (Second Edition),” EPA
3
occupancy, are covered by Guide E1465. 402-K92-001, May 1992.
EPA “Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction,” EPA 402-
1.5 Thispracticealsoisintendedasamodelsetofpractices,
3
K92-003, August 1992.
which can be adopted or modified by state and local
EPA “Handbook, Sub-Slab Depressurization for Low-
jurisdictions, to fulfill objectives of their specific radon con-
Permeability Fill Material,” EPA/625/6-91/029, July
tractor certification or licensure programs. Radon mitigation
3
1991.
performed in accordance with this practice is considered
EPA “Home Buyers and Sellers Guide,” EPA 402–K-
ordinary repair.
3
00–008, July 2000.
1.6 The methods addressed in this practice include the
EPA“NationalEmissionStandardforAsbestos,” 40CFR61,
3
following categories of contractor activity: general practices,
Subpart M.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Perfor- contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
mance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41 on Air Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Leakage and Ventilation Performance. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved March 1, 2013. Published March 2013. Originally Available from United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ariel
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as E2121 – 12. DOI: Rios Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460, http://
10.1520/E2121-13. www.epa.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2121 − 13
EPA “ Radon Mitigation Standards,” EPA 402-R-93-078, building owner is also a contractor for purposes of this
3
April 1994. practice. Persons whose
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E2121 − 12 E2121 − 13
Standard Practice for
Installing Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise
1
Residential Buildings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2121; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice describes methods for reducing radon entry into existing attached and detached residential buildings three
stories or less in height. This practice is intended for use by trained, certified or licensed, or both, or otherwise qualified individuals.
1.2 These methods are based on radon mitigation techniques that have been effective in reducing radon levels in a wide range
of residential buildings and soil conditions. These fan powered mitigation methods are listed in Appendix X1. More detailed
information is contained in references cited throughout this practice.
1.3 This practice is intended to provide radon mitigation contractors with a uniform set of practices that will ensure a high
degree of safety and the likelihood of success in retrofitting low rise residential buildings with radon mitigation systems.
1.4 The methods described in this practice apply to currently occupied or formerly occupied residential buildings, including
buildings converted or being converted to residential use, as well as residential buildings changed or being changed by addition(s)
or alteration(s), or both. The radon reduction activities performed on new dwellings, while under construction, before occupancy,
and for up to one year after occupancy, are covered by Guide E1465.
1.5 This practice also is intended as a model set of practices, which can be adopted or modified by state and local jurisdictions,
to fulfill objectives of their specific radon contractor certification or licensure programs. Radon mitigation performed in accordance
with this practice is considered ordinary repair.
1.6 The methods addressed in this practice include the following categories of contractor activity: general practices, building
investigation, systems design, systems installation, materials, monitors and labeling, post-mitigation testing, and documentation.
1.7 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. See Section 6 for specific safety hazards.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E1465 Practice for Radon Control Options for the Design and Construction of New Low-Rise Residential Buildings
E1745 Specification for Plastic Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Soil or Granular Fill under Concrete Slabs
2.2 Government Publications:
3
EPA “Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act,” regulation 40 CFR Part 763, Subpart E.
3
EPA “A Citizen’s Guide to Radon (Second Edition),” EPA 402-K92-001, May 1992.
3
EPA “Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction,” EPA 402-K92-003, August 1992.
3
EPA “Handbook, Sub-Slab Depressurization for Low-Permeability Fill Material,” EPA/625/6-91/029, July 1991.
3
EPA “Home Buyers and Sellers Guide,” EPA 402–K-00–008, July 2000.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41 on Air Leakage
and Ventilation Performance.
Current edition approved April 15, 2012March 1, 2013. Published May 2012 March 2013. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 20112012 as
E2121 – 11.E2121 – 12. DOI: 10.1520/E2121-12.10.1520/E2121-13.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ariel Rios Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460, http://www.epa.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harb
...